WASHINGTON, D.C. – The BuildStrong Coalition applauds the Biden administration’s announcement of $1 billion in funding for the upcoming iteration of the Building Resilient Infrastructure and Communities (BRIC) program. BuildStrong was instrumental in the development of BRIC, and the largest-ever funding level for a program of this kind is a game changer for implementing cost-effective, risk-reducing mitigation measures before the next disaster strikes in the U.S.
“This announcement signals a serious commitment to providing resources that will harden homes, communities, and lifeline infrastructure across the nation ahead of catastrophes and comes just days before the start of what is expected to be another active hurricane season,” said BuildStrong Coalition Chairman Jimi Grande. “Throughout the summer, we look forward to building on this momentum by working with lawmakers on Capitol Hill and in states around the nation in an effort to continue enhancing the nation’s community resilience capabilities, as we have done for the past decade.”
The successor to the previous Pre-Disaster Mitigation (PDM) program, BRIC is a hazardmitigation program “supporting communities through capability- and capacity-building; encouraging and enabling innovation; promoting partnerships; enabling large projects; maintaining flexibility; and providing consistency,” according to FEMA.
“With the announcement by the Biden Administration that it would double current funding for the BRIC program, making $1 billion available for grants, there is a clear recognition by leaders in Washington of the value of resilience and pre-disaster mitigation,” said Pamela Williams, Executive Director of the BuildStrong Coalition. “While FEMA prepares to announce the first round of BRIC awards later this year, the new resources in the BRIC Program have made it even more imperative we continue to work around the nation to prepare states and communities as they apply for funds.”
The BuildStrong Coalition is committed to continuing to work with FEMA officials and lawmakers on the Hill to inform BRIC guidance and principles as the program becomes available to eligible applicant communities.
